Holiday Product Roundup

This time of year, I like to go into New York and walk around the stores, looking for my products on the shelves. I usually don't know what stores carry them, so it's always a surprise. This is a really fun aspect of my job, getting to see the final product on the shelves. First stop, Macy's 34th street. Nothing like going to their Christmas section to get into the mood....

In Macy's, I found my NOEL boxed cards from Design Design, Inc. They are a part of my Graphic Ornaments collection that is out this year.

In Papyrus I found my diecut snowflake trio card.

This year, The Container Store is carrying not just ONE, but TWO of my designs. Shots from my Graphic Ornaments collection:

And also The Container Store was selling a wall of my Birthday Tweets goods:

I found more of my cards in several shops I went in. My gorgeous foil snowflake card:

and my HOPE card.....

and last but not least, saw several sightings of my best-selling "Santa's Servers®" napkins and coasters.

Since I spend about six months of the year designing for Christmas, it's great to see everything finally on the shelves! Whew!

Thankful for So Much

It's hard to feel in the fall spirit when it is 65 degrees out and our maples are still green! But it's definitely that time of year again, and I'm thankful for so many things in my life. Not the least of which is being able to do something for work which I also love. Here's my Thanksgiving Turkey from Great Arrow, makers of beautiful hand-silkscreened cards.

Spooky Halloween Cards

It's not too late to send a Halloween Card! I have a nice selection out this year with Design Design Inc! They are really fun cards to draw, and a fast-growing segment of the market!

First Products for the A&A Collection

Recently Snowpea Studio launched a collection of artwork, in a completely new style. This style is a collaboration between me and my mom, Ardys, who is an inspired pen-and-ink artist. This collection is a nice balance to the contemporary designs that I do, and we have been receiving quite a bit of interest from the manufacturing community.

So this month, we are excited to receive samples of our first debut collection of tableware, done with Creative Converting, called "Autumn Art". I am so pleased with the reproduction quality, the pen-and-ink lines are sharp and gorgeous, and the whole set is done in warm tones of mocha, orange and cream. It will be in stores across the country.

Lobstah Love

I wait all year for a summertime trip to the Ocean just so I can eat a couple of Lobster Rolls! Turned out our weekend trip to the Newport Folk Festival was thwarted by being sold out in advance for THE FIRST TIME EVER, so we made the best of it by hitting the beaches in Narragansett, RI.

Here is the perfect lobster roll, from Captain Jack's outside Matunuck State Beach entrance. Lightly toasted hot dog bun. Big thick chunks of lobster tossed with just a TOUCH of mayo. The celery is controversial, I prefer without it. Best eaten wearing bathing suit and flip-flops. This was the first of three rolls I ate over the coming days.... I feel much better now.

Summer Fruit from a Master Glass Artist

I first saw Elizabeth Johnson's work several years ago, and fell in love with her stunning berry jewelry. I wanted to write a little piece on it, because I find myself returning to stare at it again and again as she grows her collection. As someone who collects glass and appreciates its qualities, I am so impressed with her understanding and sensitive handling of the medium.

One of the first things I purchased was a pair of perfect blueberry earrings. The surface is exactly like that of a blueberry, only better.

My second purchase was this amazing raspberry, shockingly realistic, combined with olive-green crystals. But personally, I think her tour de force is her gooseberries. They are unbelievable, with seeds visible within.

Elizabeth creates all these miniature glass sculptures in her flameworking studio in Colorado. She says, "My work in glass is an attempt to capture parts of the miniature worlds present in nature, and to freeze them in time so that they can be held in the hands, observed closely, and enjoyed over and over again." Her work has appeared in galleries all over the country, and has been featured on the cover of Glass Craftsman Magazine.

As she is diving more and more into custom work (yes, you can work with her to create your own berry creation), some of her creations boggle the mind for their delicate beauty.

Please visit Elizabeth's website to see all her jewelry or to place orders. I can't stop looking!

Won a Louie Award!

I am thrilled to have won another LOUIE Award, which is the Greeting Card Association's annual award. I won for Best Children's Birthday Card, $3.50 and below. I did this card with Great Arrow Graphics, you can see it on their website here.

Surtex has come and gone and now comes the business of doing all the follow-up with potential new clients. It's just as much work after the show as preparing for it! Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth to say hello, it was an encouraging show.

Exhibiting at Surtex, Booth 544!

It's that time of year again....I'm getting ready to exhibit at SURTEX at the Javitz Center in Manhattan. Portfolios are getting printed, posters getting made and new designs being created. I've been preparing all year for this show so New York here I come!

Not Everything is Created Equal

These eggs were in my latest dozen from the local chicken farmer. The one on the end was so big it prevented the carton from closing, I saved it to eat last. All fun in life comes from the unexpected and the unusual.

I Love Green

I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way.... except green is my favorite color so I can't resist it.

Why I Love New York

This week, roses sprang up along the median on Park Avenue, through the snow. This installation is the work of artist Will Ryman, and goes along a 10-block stretch of the avenue. The blooms are made out of stainless steel and fiberglass and painted with boat paint. Check out the article here, this really cheered me up.

Love has its ups and downs

Here's a new Valentine's Day card for Great Arrow:

Know what I mean?

Happy New Year

A picture from the one of our first walks of the year... the Red Mill in Clinton NJ. What a beautiful spot and another part of the "hidden New Jersey" that I am fortunate to live in.

New Year, New Products

Happy New Year! I hit the ground running in 2011, and it promises to be a busy year!

The first two of my comfy accent pillows have come out, and the designs are Peace and Love, and Blue Crab with Lemons. Here they are with their matching accent rugs, all by Home Comfort. They are available at gift shops across the nation.